Letters to the Editor

Brennan not only victim

While listening to the news reports, I was under the impression that Colt Brennan was in a one-car, one-person accident. If Colt is watching the local news like the rest of us, I’m sure he’s wondering how the others injured in the accident are doing in their recovery. As we pray for Colt’s continued recovery, let’s also pray for them as well.

Earmarks save Hawaii ecology

Hawaii residents are aware of the damage caused by the brown tree snake after it was accidentally introduced to Guam as a ship stowaway in the 1950s. We understand the negative ecological and economic consequences that would result from the introduction of brown tree snakes to our historically snake-free islands, and we rely on our leaders to protect Hawaii.

Our congressional delegation, led by Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, secures earmarks to stop the movement of brown tree snakes in airplanes, ships and cargo entering Hawaii from Guam. These earmarks largely support a federal program on Guam, which removes 10,000 snakes on average each year. The importance of this issue is lost to many on the mainland because most states have snakes as part of their natural ecosystem; this underscores the importance of earmarks for supporting the priorities of individual states.

East-West Center costs too much

Our senior senator, Daniel K. Inouye, and your newspaper bemoan the coming earmarks crackdown. Why, it could require the East-West Center to seek private support. It’s heresy, I know, but sounds like a great idea whose time has come. What are the concrete benefits the U.S. taxpayer receives for its $28 million annual subsidy of this center, year after year? Improved relationships and better understanding no longer suffice. Our country is bankrupt. How about actual return on investment? Also, what subsidies do the participating nations provide, compared to the United States?

Brighter paint for crosswalks

The rash of crosswalk fatalities sadly continues and increases. If you take a drive around Oahu, you’ll find many crosswalks that are very poorly marked and need repainting. Perhaps traffic safety engineers should seriously consider painting crosswalks in bright colors. National highway safety regulations require brightly iridescent colored orange, pink and green vests on highway workers and markers in road construction areas.

One of many drivers’ complaints is they often can’t see the crosswalks, especially at night. If we use luminescent and bright colors that reflect light so drivers can see construction workers better, it’s reasonable to do the same with our crosswalks.

Forums allow more voices

I understand Keith Haugen’s concern regarding online comments ("Real names for online forums," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 17). However, there seems to be an aggressive effort by individuals or groups of individuals to intimidate and threaten others in order to suppress opinions with which they disagree.

Their agendas aside, the anonymity within the electronic media provides a forum for those who would not normally comment to civilly express their opinions, grammatically correct or not.

Don’t resort to profiling

I was alarmed to see not one but two calls for racial profiling in yesterday’s Insight section. I think both overlooked a few points.

» The next Timothy McVeigh may decide to use a plane. Not all terrorists are Muslim, nor are all Muslims terrorists.

» Air travel safety is a concern for all of us, therefore we should all be involved until the problem is solved.

» Inconveniencing a minority of people so that the majority need not be is prohibited by the Constitution (equal protection).

» How would those who call for profiling feel if there was suddenly a "legitimate" reason to profile them?

The Transportation Security Administration scans and pat-downs are not ideal, but profiling is not the solution. Rather than just complaining about how inconvenient it is, why don’t we think of better ways of solving the safety issues?